High tension cut-out



Original Filed April 17. 1930 Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Application April 1'7, 1930, Serial No. 445,165 Renewed December30, 1933 5 Claims. (Cl; 175-294) This invention has to do with animproved high tension cut-out or the like. The invention has to do withimprovements in arrangements for opening high tension circuits. Thearrangements 5 herein disclosed are such that the high tension circuitcan be opened by the operator by the use of a knife or other air gapswitch, the arrangement being such that the high tension are so createdwill be immediately-and effectively extinguished, by the high tensioncut-out device.

Another feature of my invention relates to the provision of anarrangement which is very well adapted for use in connection with hornor other air gap type lightning arresters. The high tension cut-out whenused in this arrangement serves to immediately extinguish any powercurrent which may follow the static discharge so as to thereby restorethe lightning arrester to its normal functioning condition.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of anarrangement such that the high tension cut-out is self setting afteroperation. That is to say, after each circuit opening operation, thehigh tension cut-out automatically resets itself in proper condition foranother circuit opening operation. To this extent, the circuit openingoperation of the device is momentary and is followed by a promptrestoration of the parts and circuit back to their normal functioningcondition.

Another feature of the invention relates to the incorporation of theforegoing features within a device in which an oil bath is or may beused for quenching the are.

More specifically the device includes an electromagnet circuit openerincluding a power solenoid which when energized serves to actuate themovable contact to open the circuit. The arrangement is such that thissolenoid is only subjected to current of appreciable magnitudemomentarily and for a sufficient interval to insure opening of thecircuit. Immediately after the momentary impression of operating currenton this solenoid, the solenoid is again short circuited or cut out sothat practically the entire volume of current is diverted away from it.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a sealedchamber or container within which the actuating mechanisms arecontained, said chamber being provided with one or more vent openingsthrough which gases and vapors may be discharged when the pressurewithin the device becomes abnormal. These vent openings are normallyclosed in gas-tight manner to maintain the interior of the chamber fullysealed so that there will be no loss of the quenching oil or liquid byevaporation. The vent openings are protected by safety valves or sealswhich will relieve the excessive pressure and immediately thereafterseal themselves against further loss by avaporation.

It is a further object in connection with the foregoing to provide anarrangement whereby a safety or vent valve will be automatically openedmomentarily by the impact of the moving member which is projectedupwards at the instant of opening the circuit.

Another object is to provide a device of rugged construction and onewhich will effectively perform its service over a long interval of .timewith little or no special attention.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detaileddescription of the same, which consists in the features of constructionand combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a high tension cut-outembodying the features of the present invention, sections of the upperand lower portions thereof being broken away so as to shorten up thefigure;

Figure 2 shows a cross section on the line 2--2 of Figure l, on enlargedscale;

Figure 3 shows a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking inthe direction of the ar rows;

Figure 4 shows a fragmentary detail View of the lower stationarycontact, being taken sub-- stantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,looking so in the direction of the arrows, but on enlarged scale;

Figure 5 shows a top plan View corresponding to Figure 4. Figure 5 isalso a fragmentary section on the line 5--5 of Figure 1, looking in the$5 direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a wiring diagram of the electricconnections of the high tension cut-out itself;

Figure 7 shows diagrammatically a wiring dia- 109 gram of one manner inwhich the high tension cut-out may be used in connection with an airbrake knife switch; and v Figure 8 shows diagrammatically a wiringdiagram of connections .whereby the high tension cut-out may be used inconnection with a horn gap type lightning arrester.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the construction thereinillustrated includes a tubular chamber or shell 9 of insulatingmaterial. 110

Usually this shell will be made of a suitable grade of glass havingsufflcient mechanical strength for the purpose. The lower end of theshell is closed by a cap 10 which has a ferrule or flange which can bereadily set into suitable clips in the well understood manner. The lowerportion of the shell 9 is sealed into the ferrule of the cap 10 by leador other suitable material 11 in the well understood manner. Preferably,also, a gas ket 12 is placed between the cap and the extreme end of theshell.

Likewise, there is a ferrule 13 secured to the upper end of the shell 9.This is done by inserting the upper end of said shell within saidferrule and sealing the same in place by lead or other suitable material14, a gasket 15 being preferably located the section 23 firmly intoplace.

between the upper end of the shell and an inwardly reaching shoulder 18which is formed on the ferrule.

The upper end of the ferrule 13 is closed by a removable cap I! normallysecured in place by screws 18.

The lower cap 10 has an upwardly extending central boss 19. A lowercontact member comprises a block 20 having a stud 21 which threads downinto the boss 19. This block 20 is provided with a central bore 22, theupper end of which is preferably of enlarged or tapered size as shown inFigure 1. At one side the block 20 is cut away and a movable section 23is set into such cut away portion so as to complete the block at thatpoint. A leaf spring 24 has its lower end rigidly connected to the block20 and its upper end bearing against the section 23. This leaf springhas its upper end engaged with a cross slot 24 in the section 23. .Thisspring therefore serves to press The movable contact comprises a rod 25,the lower end of which sets down into the bore 22 and is engaged by themovable contact section 23 under the impulse of the spring 24.

There is a block 26 set into the upper portion of the device. This blockhas an enlarged head portion 27 which is of tapered form so as to seatagainst the upwardly tapered seat 28 of the shoulder 16. One or morevent openings such as 29 are formed in this enlarged and tapered portionso as to allow a free movement of gases upwardly past the head portion27.

A fairly still spring 30 is placed between the head portion 27 and thecap 1'7, said spring serving to retain the head portion well seated atall times in normal service.

A sleeve 31 has its upper end threaded on to the lower portion of theblock 26, and said sleeve carries at its lower end a solenoid memberincluding a solenoid 32. Said solenoid is wound upon a sleeve 33. Theupper end of said sleeve is connected to: the lower end of the sleeve 31by a block of bakelite or other insulating material 34 which ispreferably molded into place between these parts. The lower end of thesolenoid is established by an insulating block 35 mounted upon thesleeve 33. Preferably a series of set screws 36 are set into this block35 at different points around the periphery and serve to space the samefrom the shell 9.

The upper end of the rod 25 carries an enlargement or button 37; and theupper end of the sleeve 33 is slightly tapered as shown in Figure 1.When the rod 25 is in the lowered or working position, the button 37engages this tapered upper end of the sleeve 33 to establish electricalconnection therewith as shown in-Figure 1.

The rod 25 carries a collar 38 at a point close to the lower end of thesleeve 33, and an armature or'block of magnetic material 39 is slidablymounted upon the rod 25. This armature is located above the collar 38and below the button 3'7. Upon energizing the solenoid 32, the armatureis vigorously drawn upwards and delivers a heavy impact against thelower portion of the button 37. This causes the rod 25 to be vigorouslyjerked away from the lower contact block 20.

The block 26 is provided with a downwardly depending sleeve 40 whichreaches to a point somewhat above the upper end of the sleeve 33. Thissleeve 40 has its lower end slotted at a number of points around theperiphery as shown at 41. The movable contact leaves 42 reach throughthese slotted openings and project slightly beyond the inner surface ofthe bore 43 of the block 26. These contact members 42 are suspended bythe flexible pig-tails 44, which also thereby establish electricalconnection to the sleeve 40.

Leaf springs 45 have their upper ends rigidly connected to the collar 40and their lower ends bear against the outer portions of the contactmembers 42. It will be noted that said outer portions are of enlargedsize as compared to the slots 41 so that the leaf springs 45 can notpress them inwardly more than a slight amount. This is, however,sufficient to establish momentary contact with the button 37 on theupper end of the rod 25 as the same rises.

At the upper end of the bore 43 there is provided a movable head member46 which is carried by the lower end of a stem 47, said stem reaching upthrough the upper end of the block 26. A resilient block 48 made offelt, fibre, leather, lead, or the like is placed in the upper end ofthe bore 43 and above the block 46 just referred to. The button 37 willstrikeagainst the block 46 which in turn will come to bearing againstthe resilient block 43. Thus the impact of the rod 25 and connectedparts is delivered to the head 27 of the block 26. Said head isresiliently retained by the spring 30 so that an excessive impact causesthe entire block 26 including the head 27 to rise slightly against theforce of the spring 30 and be thereafter immediately reseated.

The cap 17 is provided with an enlargement 49 which has a central bore50. A poppet valve member 51 reaches down through this bore and to apoint close to the upper end of the stem 47 already referred to. Theupper end of the poppet valve is of conical form as shown at '52 andbears against a companion upwardly facing seat of the cap member 17. Aremovable cap 53 is threaded down on to 2. lug 54 which reaches up fromthe cap 17; and a spring 55 is placed between the cap 53 and the poppetvalve and normally retains said valve in the seated position. For thispurpose, the poppet valve is preferably drilled as shown in Figure l, toreceive the lower portion of the spring. The poppet valve also has thefins 51 on its lower end to guide it in its movements in the bore 50.

The upper portion of the block 26 is provided with a series of radiallyextending ports 56 which serve to vent the bore 43 to the space outsideof the block 26 at a point somewhat below the block 46. l

One end of the solenoid 32 is electrically connected to the lowerportion of the sleeve 31 and the other end oi. the said solenoid iselectrically connected to the sleeve 33. The operation of the devicewill be readily understood. Current entering through the. ferrule 13flows down 15.

will immediately cease.

through the blocks 26 and 31 and into one end of the solenoid 32. Thecurrent then flows through the shell 33 to the button 3'7 and thencethrough the rod 25 down to the lower ferrule 10. This current energizesthe solenoid and causes the device to operate in the manner alreadyapparent.

It will be noticed that no provision has been illustrated for latchingthe rod and button in the raised position. Consequently, the parts maydrop back to the closed circuit position assuming that the flow ofcurrent through the solenoid is only momentary. This will cause thedevice to be reset ready for another operation.

Figure 7 shows one method of application of this device. In this casethe device is shown in its entirety by the numeral 57. It is bridgedbetween the contacts 58 and 59 of one blade 60 of a double blade airbrake switch. The other blade 61 of said switch works between thecontacts 62 and 63. Normally, the switch is in the closed position andthe entire volume of current flows through the blades 60 and 61 and thecurrent flowing through the solenoid 32 is negligible. Upon commencingto open the air brake switch, the disengagement of the blade 60 from thecontact 58 will divert the entire flow of current through the solenoid32, which will thereupon be vigorously energized and will raise the rod25 to open the circuit. This will cause the high tension cut-out deviceto actuate and open the circuit and the are at the air brake contactsWhen the switch is again closed, the device will be in condition for asubsequent opening operation because the movable contact rod 25 willhave dropped back into the closed circuit position.

In the diagram of Figure 8, the device is shown in its entirety by thenumeral 57. In this case there is a horn lightning arrester 64 with oneof its horns connected to the high tension line 65. The other end of thelightning arrester connects to the terminal 66 of an air brake switchhaving the blade 6'? and the terminal 68. There is another blade 69 ofsaid switch working between the terminals 70 and '71. The blades of theswitch are connected in series; and the terminal 70 is connected toground by a lead 72 together with the resistances '73 and 74.

There is a solenoid '75 bridged across the resistance 73, the solenoid'75 being a portion of a magnetic circuit opening device for opening theknife switch in the customary manner under overload condition. With thisarrangement, in case the power current follows a static discharge acrossthe horns, there will be created a momentary flow of current through thesolenoid 75 sufficient in volume to trip the air brake switch. The samewill then open and divert the current through the high tension cut-outwhich will then function in the manner already explained to extinguishthe arc.

It will be understood that normally the lower portion of the shell 9 issealed with a suitable arc extinguishing liquid so that the deviceconstitutes in effect an oil brake device.

In the particular construction herein illustrated, the device willremain in open circuit condition when it has once been actuated to openthe circuit. It will be understood that if desired suitable latchmechanism might be provided for States on improvements in High tensioncut-outs and the like, Serial No. 441,256, filed April 3,

It will also be understood that if desired a suitable trip device may beprovided in conjunc-' tion with such latch mechanism so as toenable theoperator to place the cut-out device again in service and close thecircuit by disengaging the latch mechanism and allowing the movablecontact rod 25 to move into the closed circuit position.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of thefeatures of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myselfthereby except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply anddelivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connectionbetween the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming andoutgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts forthe two blades of the switch, and means for automatically extinguishingthe arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said areextinguishing means including end members connected respectively to thestationary contact and movable blade of the switch at the deliverycircuit side thereof, said member including a movable contact adapted tomomentarily extinguish the circuit in a liquid bath said contact againmoving to circuit closing position and also including a solenoidoperated by the flow of current through said device for moving saidcontact to the open circuit position, substantially as described.

2. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply anddelivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connectionbetween the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming andoutgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts forthe two blades of the switch, and means for automatically extinguishingthe arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said areextinguishing means including end members connected respectively to thestationary contact and movable blade of the switch at the deliverycircuit side thereof and also including means for automaticallymomentarily opening the circuit and extinguishing the arc in a liquidbath upon the flow of a substantial volume of current through saiddevice, said means immediately thereafter moving to circuit closingposition substantially as described.

3. The combination with an electric circuit, including power supply anddelivery portions, of a double blade air-break switch, a connectionbetween the two blades of said switch, connections from the incoming andoutgoing portions of the electric circuit to the stationary contacts forthe two blades of the switch, and means for auto matically extinguishingthe arc incident to the opening of the blades of said switch, said areextinguishing means connected respectively to the stationary contact andmovable blade of the switch at the de- .livery circuit side thereof,together with means for automatically momentarily opening andextinguishing the circuit upon the flow of a substantial volume ofcurrent through said device, substantially as described.

4. Means for opening a high tension circuit and extinguishing the areincident to opening said circuit, said means comprising an air-breakincluding end members" together with an oil-break switch in paralleltherewith, said oil brake switch having a movable contact which isnormally in the closed circuit position and automatically moves to saidclosed circuit position, the oil-brake switch including a solenoidoperating to momentarily move the oil-break contact to the open circuitposition upon the flow 01 a substantial volume oi current through saidsolenoid, substantially as described.

ERIC N. NORDHEM.

